Isidoje stebn



1,451,718 I. STERN ADJUSTABLE ATTACHMENT FOR REMOVABLE BRIDGE WORK FiledSept.

Qwuamtoz Isadore Ste/v? Patented Apr. 17, 1923.

lasin ISIDOBE STERN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

ADJUSTABLE ATTACHHIENT REMOVABLE BRIDGEWOBK.

Application filed September 15, 1921. Serial No. 500,766.

ing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New'York, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements 1n Adjustable Attachmentsfor Removable Bridgework, of which the ttollowing 1s a specification.

This invention relates to dentistry and especially to removable bridgework. More particularly the invention relates to ad ustable attachmentsfor use in connection with dental bridges.

Primarily, it is an object of this invention to improve over theconstruction, the design, and the adjustable attachment for removabledental bridge work as disclosed in my co-pending application for PatentSerial No. 422653, filed November 8th, 1920.

Thcimportant object of my invention is to produce an adjustable anchorpiece or attachment for use in connection with all types ofbridge workof the character employing a socket made on or in a pier tooth toreceive and hold the dental bridge in position; and it being a furtherobject to make this adjustable attachment adaptable for use either inconnection with sockets made in tooth inlays, or for use in connectionwith a socket anchored to a tooth crown, as will be understood by thoseconversant with the art.

' An additional object of this invention is to produce a novel andimproved removable bridge work attachment which is adjustable to removelooseness existing between the anchor part and socket, which loosenessis caused by wear occasioned through removal and replacer-ient of thebridge in the mouth, to the end that the bridge, though used for a greatlength oi time, may be kept tight and caused to remain firmly inposition.

It is likewise an object to produce an at tachment for removable bridgework which has an improved construction to admit of adjustment by usinga suitable spreading tool. such as a thin bladed instrument, and adistorting tool, so that the attachment may be adjusted by the wearer toslightly increase its greigiei'ai ovc all size or thickness to elimi--nate looseness and play, in orderthat the bridge may be worn withcomfort and usefulness.

My bridge work attachment is an improvement over the art in respect toits adjustability, because the head may be expanded, thickened, or madelarger without losing the parallelism of the head surfaces. This featureis a distinct advantage because the head fits back into the socket withsurface contact as opposed to point or line contact. There are numerousadjustable dental attachments in the art, but their engaging SUI- faces,when bent or expanded to a new position, lose their parallelism andbecome tapered or thinner at one end which produces looseness when theattachment is inserted in the socket. My improved denture overcomes suchdisadvantage, and when its head is expanded its walls remain paralleland it fits into the socket with all the surface area thereof actuallyin contact with the socket surface area, thus producing; a close fittingdental attachment.

It is known that the advantages of removable bridge work lie in the factthat the bridge may be so constructed and placed in the mouth that aslight degree of relative movement may exist between the bridge itselland the sound teeth acting as piers or points of support, and thispermits slight relative motion to exist between the two pier teeththemselves in order that the sound teeth may move in function, which isto say the two pier teeth are not rigidly anchored one to the other bythe bridge structure therebetween hutai'e capable of natural movementand function in the gum and root in the same manner as if no bridge wassupported thereon. Thus the disadvantages of immovable and fixed type ofbridge work overcome, because the two pier teeth supporting the bridgeare not impaired in their individual functions, and therefore removablebridge work desir able not only from this point of view but is preicrredbecause it may be removed to be cleaned.

But. however, the dental bridges of present day use b come loose andeither fall out of the wearefs mouth or function impropen 1y due to toomuch lost motion. This disadvantage of removable bridge work isoccasioned by the fact that the denture parts, consisting of the tubularsocket and anchor piece or attachment, become worn and loose onerelatively to the other. It is fitti loo place so that it does not causethe wearer annoyance and inconvenience.

To this end I will now describe an embodiment of my invention, andthough I describe a preferred form of construction and function, I claima right of protection as to such changes as may obviously come withinthe scope of my invention. I The several u resin the drawings ashereinafter described, represent a dental bridge and attachmentstherefor, in views greatly enlarged over the actual sizeof theattachments as manutactured for the trade; and the enlargement isnecessary for a more perfect understanding of the design andconstruction thereof.

' Figure 1 illustrates a general perspective view of any practical formof bridge, to which my improved attachments are joined; and the bridgeis shown supported in position between the two pier teeth having inlaysockets for the reception of my improved denture parts. j v

. Figure 2 shows a cluster View of the attachment only, said attachmentbeing shown in front, side and plan views.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the attachment with a distortingtool thrust into an opening formedin the head or web for the purpose ofdisplacing the attachment wings to a new position to enlarge and thickenthe head part so that looseness of the bridge will be eliminated.

Figure t illustrates a perspective View of the tubular receptacle, orsocket part, and the attachment, both parts being shown in alignmentready to be fitted together.

A dental bridge attachment constructed in accordance with the plans ofmy invention embodies a T-shaped denture having improved adjustablecharacteristics. The at tachment embodies a head which preferably has ashank by which the head is anchored to the bridge; and the head partconsists of a web and laminae or wings having a certain facility foradjustment as hereinafter explained in detail.

-Referring now more in particular'to the drawings for a more preciseexplanation of the principles and construction of my invention, there isshown a socket ('3 which is either anchored on the side of a toothcrown, or installed in a tooth inlay, dependent upon the particulardental problem and installation work to be; performed. In the drawings,the socket'fi isshown made a part of the inlay 7 carried thepier tooth8; and the bridge 9 consists of porcelain or metal structure, to whichis anchored iinproved attachment, which attachment fits into thefsocket.to hold the bridge in positioii'a sillilstrate'tli The anchor part orattachment itself, comprises a shank 12 integrally made with a web 13.ings 1a are integrally formed on opposed edges of the web 13. The weband the wings comprise the attachment head 1314; which fits into thesocket 6. The specific construction of the head 1314= makes for thesuccessot this adjustable dental attachment which functions in a manneras later described. The web 13 is made in the form of a substantiallyrectan gular plate which is an integral part with the shank 12, andwhich is formed right angular to theshank.

The attachment or anchor, together with the socket 6, is usuallymanufacturedby skilled aftisans tor the dental trade; and

these parts are purchased by the professional trade or dentists and madeup into bridges by soldering or otherwise anchor ing the shank 12 onto aporcelain or gold bridge as desired, and by utilizing the socket 6either in the tooth inlay or on a tooth crown, dependent upon theexigencies of the particular re-construction work at hand.

With particular reference to the important design and construction ofthis attachment, it is pointed out that the! web 13 andthe shank 12 areconstructed of material, somewhat heavy and thick as compared to thethin wing structure 14. ,Each wing in fact romprises a flat plate-likesection 14 having a curved wall 15, which wall joins to and forms anintegral part with the web 13. At the point of juncture between thecurved wall 15 and the web 13, the said web increases in thickness,.andthis particular constructioii :forms a hole or opening. 16, which ismore practically a cylindrical opening, as sl'iowi'i in the drawings;and this opening passes longitudinally through the web from end to endthereof.

The head. is so designed and constructed to leave a slight clearancespace between the wing sections it and the web 13. This clearance isminute in smalldental attachments, but is perceptible to the extent of afew thousandths of an inch. in order that the wings may be compressed orcontracted slightly, or in tact yield under pressure towards the web 13.Likewise, the wings have their adjacent edgcsterminating approiri matelyalong the center line of the shanklQ in order that the wings besymmetrical and Function similarly one to the other. i

The purpose of the-clearance space be tween the web and wings, ashereinbefore mentioned, is to permit the said wings to contract or bendinwardly against theweb 13; and in addition tothis, it is alsocontemplated that a small prizing or adjusting tool, not showninthedrawings, may beinsert'ed, into the space between-the wings'and heweb to expand and bend the said wings-cut- 1 fit) Fill wardly wherebythe general over-all thickness of the head 13-14 is somewhat increased.\Vhen a prizing tool is inserted between a wing and the web, the heavyand unyielding web 13 resists the combined force of the prizing tool andthe distorting tool (shown in the drawings at B) which causes the saidtools, in case both are used, to impose the combined effort of bothtools upon the wing whereby the wing is bent outwardly away from the web13, such for can ample as shown in dotted lines in the top plan of thecluster view. It is, therefore, an advantage to make the websubstantially heavy and the win 14. comparatively light so that the wingonly is subjected to the adj ustment and displacement produced by theprizing tool and distorting tool. It is to be noted that, when the wingis bent outwardly, the arcuate wall portion 15' will be caused toundergo slightly permanent enlargement or increased diameter becausewhen the prizing tool is inserted between the wing and web adjacent theopening 16, the prizing force is applied to the wing at the curved wall15 which causes the said curved wall to receive the bending strain. Inthis manner the diameter of the curved wall 15 and the diameter of theopening 16 defined by the said curved wall, is somewhat increased, andthe curved wall is caused to permanently assume a. slightly increaseddiameter which causes the wing to stand out at a slight angle to the web13. At this stage of the operation, a distorting tool B is thrust intothe enlarged cylindrical hole 16, and acts somewhat as a reforming toolto maintain the permanency of the increased diametrical size of the wall15. With the distorting tool B in position, a slight pressure is imposedon the free outer end of the wing to bend it back into parallel positionwith the web 13. In this manner, the wing section 14 is caused to assumea slightly displaced position, and thereby acquires a new positionparallel to the web l3 which it theretofore did not occupy.

It is, therefore, seen how a flat prizing tool. such a pen knife blade.not shown in. the drawings, may be inserted between the wing and web tobend the wing outwardly, followed by inserting the round distorting toolB in the hole 16, and then followed by bending the wing 14 back intoparallel position with the web 13; and after this adjustment is made onboth wings 14: to reform each the same with the other, the said head l31l has become somewhat increased in thickness. With the increased sizeand thickness now possessed by the head it will more firmly and tightlyengage the socket when the bridge 9 is again placed in position.

Figure 3 shows one stage of the above described operation in carryingout the readjustment and refitting of the bridge. This view clearlyshows one wing as lying closely adjacent to the web 13, which indicatesthat this particular wing has not been adjusted. The other wing, isshown just after having been adjusted and prior to the removal of thedistorting tool. In this illustration, the distorting tool B functionedto maintain permanently the enlargement of the wall 15 and the holedefined thereby, so that when you pressed the wing 14: back intoposition, the said wing surface assumed a new position parallel with theweb 13, which position leaves slightly more space between the web andwing to thicken and enlarge the head.

It is to be noted that the above adjustment may be effected by dentists,or indeed. the wearer himself maybe instructed in the adjustment of hisbridge. Two tools may be used for this operation. namely, any form offlat bladed instrument such as a pen knife, and a round instrument suchas a needle may be used to good advantage for effecting the adjustment.Only the distorting tool B, which may be a needle or pin-like rod asmentioned, is shown in the drawings, for it is readily understood bythose conversant with the art how an" other thin bladed tool may bepractically used in connection with the distorting tool 13 in eifectingthe refitted adjustment of this attachment. 1 It is not essential thatthe distorting tool he used in effecting the adjustment of the wings,for indeed the wings may very readily be displaced outwardly by using ap rizing tool only to very slightly bend the wings outwardly. The wearerof the bridge may not find it necessary to do more than delicately bendthe wings outwardly. but a skilled dental mechanic may desire to use thetwo tools, one to supplement the other, in securing a technicallyaccurate reparalleling enlargement of the head. It is, therefore, anadvantage, in refitting and re-aligning the bridge after long use, to goto a skilled dentist who may very readily make the above adjustment sothe bridge will properly function. I

Though it is necessary to have the denture attachment engage the socketwith sufficient pressure and frictional engagement to firmly hold thebridge in place. it is inadvisable to rigidly anchor the denture attaclrment in the socket so as to produce an inn-- movable structurethroughout the two pier teeth and bridge work. 31y invention, embodiedin the {713603 attachment herein disclosed, provides suitable means forfilling this somewhat diflicult requirement, becausi in the relativelyheavy web and conipaia tively thin flexible wing structure, youhave anattachment which firmly anchors itself within a socket, yet there existsa slight 113L13- m'issible relative motionbetween the attachmentandthesocket due to the flexibility of the wings and the clearance spacebetween the wings and the web; The motion which this constructionpermits to exist between the bridge itself and the iuerteeth is notwould occur itmy bridge work attachment produced a solid iniu'iovahlyanchored construction. As noted in the drawings, the lower end i of thehead, namely, thewinQ-s t t and the vents when the web and wings shdablyengage the tubular socket G, and thereby causes the web is tapered asindicated by the nu meralQt, the said tapering: structure being termedon boththeouter edgz es and the side surfaces ot the head. This taperingconstruction,though not necessary in the actual manufacture andproduction of the attachment, is preferred in orderthat the said attacl-ent may readily pass back. into the socket it subsequently to'beingenlarged by adjustment. The ta Jered formation 20 prepossible contact"and' interference l'iridgre to readily into place.

By adopting my attaclnnent and invention. it is possible to retain theproper titted relation between the removable bridge and the pier teethsockets in order that the said pier teeth and the removablebridge-cooperate to form a continuous. and V uninterrupted occlusalsurface, Furthermore, the bridge mav be retained in comfortable workingposition. by adjustment as above described.

One ol the distinct advantages oi the invention lies in the tact thatthe "front and back surfaces of the head, namely, the outer surtaces oithe wings and the web, remain in true parallelism after the part hasbeen adjusted. It is different with adjustable bridge work attachmentsnow onthe market, tor in adjustment there-ct they usually lit in thesocket with point or light contact, because when expanded they produce atapered body which actually engages th socket by contact between one ormore points or lines otstructure; whereas, in my attachment, I provideways and. means for effecting ire-adiustment and enlargement 0t mydenture part without impairing the surface parallelism of the wallsthereot.

A removable bridge attachment constructed in accordance with the plansherein disclosed, will fill a. lone felt want for device o'ithis class,and make more practical, usable and comfortable all classes'of remotablebridge work, and enhance and make more popular the use of removabledental bridges.

I claim:

1. A denture attachment for use in connection with removable bridge workof the ype having; a socket to receive the attachment and hold a bridgein position, comprising a shank by which the attachment is anchored tothe bridge, a head made on the bridge and fittinginto the socket, saidhead comprising a substantially rectangular plate, a Wing; integrallyformed on two opposite edges oi the plate to provide a pair of wingshaving adjacent edges approXimat-elymeet ing in the center of the plate,and the afore said wii'rgs being constructed of metal piecescomparatively thinner than the aforesaid plate and being uniform inthickness in order that the wings may be readily bent outwardly toincrease the over-all thickness of the head to effect a close fittingconnection with the socket.

An adjustable attachment for removable bridge work adapted to it into apier tooth socket and hold a bridge, comprising; a rectangular shapedmember adapted to slide into the socket, a wing formed on oppo siteparallel ec ot the rectangular shaped member to provide two opposedwingsparallel. to the web, said wines being constructed of material ofuniform thickness and comparatively lighter in weight andthinner in wallstructure than the aforesaid rectangular member, said wings beingcapable ci slight distortion to increase the over-all thickness ot theattachment part which fits into the socket to effect a tight fittingrelation between the bridge and the pier tooth. j

An adjustable attachment for removable bridge work adapted to fit, intoa pier tooth socket and hold a bridge, comprising a shank and headpiece,said head piece provided with an opening formed longitudinallytherethrough, the said opening having a dividing slot made through thewall of the head, a pair of expaudiblc wings having adjacent edgesdefined by the dividing: slot, the said wings being constructed ofmaterial comparatively thin and uniformly thick so as to produce wingshaving; a yieldable and spring-like characteristic so "that the saidwings yield under slight pressure to cause the attachment to tightlyfitinto the socket;

4. A denture attachment for removable bridge work comprising a headpiece and shank, said head being-made with an'openinc: extendinglongitudinally therethrough. to divide the headpiece into two main wallportions, one of: said wall portions-having a ill iii

slot made therethrough to the aforesaid opening which divides the wallinto two wing parts to produce a head having a wall and two integralwings, the said wings be ing expandible from the aforesaid wall toincrease the over-all thickness of the head, and the said wings beingconstructed oi"; terial comparatively thinner than the wall anduniformly thick in order that the wings may be readily distorted to anew position parallel with the aforesaid wall. 7

5. A denture attachment adapted to fit into a pier tooth socket and holda bridge, comprising a shank by which the attachment is anchored to abridge, a head made on the shank, said head characterized in structureby having a substantially wide and thin parallel opening madetherethrough to divide the head into two wall portions joined togetherat their edges, the inner surfaces and the outer surfaces of the saidwall portions being parallel, and the'wall being yieldable to admit thehead into the socket under fric tionally engaged contact between thesocket surface and the attachment surface.

6. An adjustable attachment for removable bridge work adapted to fitinto a pier tooth socket and hold a bridge, comprising a shank, a webmade on the shank, wings formed on the web, the said web constructedcomparatively heavy to resist the strain imposed on the attachment whenadjusted and the said wings being constructed comparatively light inweight and thin in structure so as to be readily susceptible to delicateadjustment through the agency of an adjusting tool inserted between theweb and wings to force the wings away from the web to increase the sizeof the attachment to produce a close fit in the socket, the said web andwings being constructed with a parallel clearance space existingtherebetween for the purpose of allowing the wings to yield slightlyunder the pressure imposed by inserting the attachment into the socket.

7. An adjustable attachment for removable bridge work adapted to fitinto a pier tooth socket and hold a bridge, comprising a shank, a headmade on the shank, an opening made through the head to produce a headstructure comprising a thick heavy wall portion and a thin flexible wallportion, the said thin wall portion having a split or opening madetherethrough to divide this wall into two parts both oi which areadjustable by distortion to force the two thin wall parts outwardly intoa new position parallel with the heavy wall, and the aforesaid openingbeing parallel to produce wall portions of uniform thickness.

8. An adjustable attachment for removable bridge work adapted to litinto a pier tooth socket and hold a bridge, comprising a shank, a headmade on the shank, a parallel clearance space formed through the head toproduce a structure comprising a thick heavy wall portion integral withthe shank and a thin flexible wall portion, the said thin wall portionhaving a split or opening made therethrough to divide this wall into twoparts both of which are adjustable by distortion to force the two thinwall parts outwardly into a new position parallel with the heavy wall.

9. An adjustable attachment for removable bridge work adapted to fitinto a pier tooth socket, comprising a shank, a web made integral withthe shank, a pair of wings, each wing consisting of a flat sectionterminating in a curved wall, and the said curved -wall being integrallyjoined with the web.

10. An adjustable attachment for removable bridge work adapted to itinto a pier tooth socket, comprising a shank, a web made integral withthe shank, a pair of wings, each wing consisting of a flat sectionterminating in a curved wall, and the said curved wall being integrallyjoined with the web whereby a cylindrical opening is made at thejuncture of the wing and web for the reception of a distortion toolwhereby the diameter of the curved wall is somewhat in creased todisplace the wing to a new position parallel with the web.

In testimony whereof, I have her unto al'iixed my hand and seal this12th day of September, 1921, in the city of New York, borough ofManhattan, county of New York, State of New York.

ISIDORE STERN.

